Toys with sound producing means

ABSTRACT

Toys incorporate sound producing components in such manner that the components cannot become dislodged from the toy structure. In a first embodiment, the sound producing component is a separate element but is embedded in a boss formed on the toy wall, the boss and wall including interfitting means which engage the component to securely anchor it in place. The material of fabrication of the toy fully envelopes the sound producing component. In the second embodiment, the sound producing component is formed integrally with the toy and has a conical sound chamber with an associated bellows operated responsive to squeezing of the toy walls.

United States Patent 5] Nov. 7,1972

Hakim [54] TOYS WITH SOUND PRODUCING MEANS [72] Inventor: Louise Z. Hakim, P.O. Box 1026,

Monroe, La.

[22] Filed: Oct. 29, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 193,756

[52] US. Cl. ..46/175 [51] Int. Cl. ..A63h 5/00 [58] Field of Search ..46/175, 178, 179, 180, 117, 46/118 [56] References Cited 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,745,214 5/1956 Lawson ..46/117 3,032,920 5/1962 Cohn ..46/117 2,598,956 6/1952 Wintriss ..46/117 X 2,819,588 1/1958 Freimauer ..46/117 2,928,208 3/1960 Wintriss ..46/117 X Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-D. L. Weinhold Attorney-Robert G. McMorrow [57] ABSTRACT Toys incorporate sound producing components in such manner that the components cannot become dislodged from the toy structure. In a first embodiment, the sound producing component is a separate element but is embedded in a boss formed on the toy wall, the boss and wall including interfitting means which engage the component to securely anchor it in place. The material of fabrication of the toy fully envelopes the sound producing component.

In the second embodiment, the sound producing component is formed integrally with the toy and has a conical sound chamber with an associated bellows operated responsive to squeezing of the toy walls.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures TOYS WITH SOUND PRODUCING MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION bility of the component being swallowed or otherwise causing harm to a young child.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates production of squeeze toys having noise producing devices operative upon deformation of the body of the toy wherein the possibility of accidental disengagement of the devices from the toy is efiectively eliminated. In achieving this objective it is the principal purpose of the invention to supply a toy as aforesaid wherein a noise emitting device is embedded in a particularly formed section of the toy, or alternatively is formed as an integral component of the toy per se. By these expedients the invention insures thesafety of the children using the toys while retaining the interest level of children through the incorporation of sound producing means.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. Us a frontal view of a toy with a portion broken away for disclosure of a sound emitting device incor- DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring initially to FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawing, a toy of a representative type embodying the invention is therein identified by reference numeral 10. The toy is formed of rubber, synthetic materials, plastic or similar substances having the characteristics of deformability and a plastic memory for return to original configuration after deformation. The toy is substantially hollow or includes at least a deformable area or portion which is hollow. The toy includes a wall 12 (in this instance the base of the device) in proximity to the deformable area (here the central body 14 of the toy) and the wall includes an outer surface 13.

The wall 12 is formed with an enlarged inwardly extending boss 16 which is preferably integral with the body of the toy. The wall and boss have a compound opening 18 formed therein described in more detail below.

A noise emitting device 20 is mounted in the'boss l6 and includes a straight section 22, having a whistle 23, an intermediate skirt 24 having a slant wall 26 and a perpendicular shoulder 28, and a bottom annular ring portion 30. The noise emitting device 20 is fully embedded in the boss 16. It will be observed in FIG. 2 that the opening 18 is substantially enlarged at the outer surface 13 of the toy wall providing a shallow, cupped inward opening 32. The wall, at the termination of the opening 32, has a flange section 34 defining an opening 36 and overlying fully the ring 30. Similarly, the boss 16 includes a central inward flange 38 which occupies the space between the shoulder 28 of the skirt member and the ring thus effectively preventing movement of the noise emitting device relative to the boss. From the foregoing it is to be noted that the noise emitting device is fully encased and cannot be removed from the toy without destruction of the boss and wall. Operation is-the same as that involved in conventional squeeze toys, that is, deformation of the toy in the area 14 or other deformable portion causes the emission of air through the noise emitting device with a consequent sound. When the body of the device is released, and returns to its original configuration, air is drawn therein through the noise emitting device.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 a noise producing means 100 is formed integral with a toy wall 102 having an outer surface 104. In this form of the invention, the toy per se is not shown in the drawing, but it will be understood that the device projects inwardly into thebody portion of a toy of the type described above.

The means 100 comprises an annular, inwardly extending cone element 106 defining a sound chamber 108 of similar configuration. The wall 104 has an annular extension 1 10 with a central opening 1 12, the extension 110 partially closing the chamber 108. The means 100 further includes a bellows or expansion section 1 14 having a top wall 116 and a side wall 118 of reduced thickness. The bellows top wall has a compound opening therein to the toy interior including an enlarged first section 120 and an air entry portion 122 leading to the expansion chamber 124 provided by the bellows. Air from the bellows is expelled into the sound chamber 108 through an opening 126. From the foregoing it is seen that the squeezing of the toy wall results in forcing air through the openings 120, 122 into the expansible bellows from which it is subsequently propelled into the sound chamber 108 at a slower rate. This differentiation of rate results in a squeaking sound of interest to 1. A squeeze toy comprising: a body portion with a deformable area for expulsion of air therefrom upon deformation; the toy including a wall; the wall having an enlarged inwardly extending boss thereon;

the wall and the boss having a compound opening formed therein and extending fully therethrough;

a noise emitting device mounted in said boss and adapted to sound upon the passage of expelled air therethrough responsive to deformation of the body portion;

said wall having an outer surface;

the opening being enlarged at said outer surface;

said noise emitting device having a bottom radially enlarged annular portion;

and said wall including a flange engaged over the bottom annular portion of said noise emitting device to prevent the withdrawal of the noise emitting device through said opening.

2. The invention of claim-l, wherein;

the wall has an outer surface;

the opening being enlarged at said outer surface;

the noise emitting device having a bottom annular portion; and

the wall including a flange engaged over the bottom annular portion and preventing the withdrawal of the noise emitting device through the opening.

3. The invention of claim 2, wherein;

the noise emitting device includes an intermediate skirt member; and

the boss has a central flange engaged between the bottom annular portion and the intermediate skirt.

4. The invention of claim 3, wherein:

the boss is of an inward extent at least greater than the inward extent of the noise emitting device.

5. The invention of claim 3, wherein: the skirthas a slant wall in the direction of insertion.

I i I i 

1. A squeeze toy comprising: a body portion with a deformable area for expulsion of air therefrom upon deformation; the toy including a wall; the wall having an enlarged inwardly extending boss thereon; the wall and the boss having a compound opening formed therein and extending fully therethrough; a noise emitting device mounted in said boss and adapted to sound upon the passage of expelled air therethrough responsive to deformation of the body portion; said wall having an outer sUrface; the opening being enlarged at said outer surface; said noise emitting device having a bottom radially enlarged annular portion; and said wall including a flange engaged over the bottom annular portion of said noise emitting device to prevent the withdrawal of the noise emitting device through said opening.
 2. The invention of claim 1, wherein; the wall has an outer surface; the opening being enlarged at said outer surface; the noise emitting device having a bottom annular portion; and the wall including a flange engaged over the bottom annular portion and preventing the withdrawal of the noise emitting device through the opening.
 3. The invention of claim 2, wherein; the noise emitting device includes an intermediate skirt member; and the boss has a central flange engaged between the bottom annular portion and the intermediate skirt.
 4. The invention of claim 3, wherein: the boss is of an inward extent at least greater than the inward extent of the noise emitting device.
 5. The invention of claim 3, wherein: the skirt has a slant wall in the direction of insertion. 